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Amanda Waas is the creator of You’re Welcome, a gift guide site for all of life’s awkward occasions. Her writing has appeared in Every Day With Rachael Ray, Glamour, Time Out New York, AOL’s Shelterpop and DIY Life, and various others. Follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.

The Kentucky Derby is right around the corner, but even if you can’t head to the races in person this Friday, you can still celebrate.

Aside from the races, this historical event boils down to two things: style and booze. Each year, people head to Churchill Downs in droves, wearing their best linen outfits (white and pastel colors only). They spend the better part of the afternoon pretending to pay attention to the races while silently judging everyone’s fashion choices while sipping mint juleps.

The good news is that you don’t have to head to Louisville to do any of these things, so cue up the TV, buy everything on this list of essentials, and you’ll have the perfect Kentucky Derby party—whether you’re in New York City or Louisville.

STYLE:

1.Spring Plaid Bow Tie ($68, Forage Haberdashery): The Kentucky Derby is all about Southern style. White linen suits, seersucker, gingham, and the like. You might not want to get all decked out in a white linen suit (and you probably don’t own one anyway), but a dapper bow tie like this one will make you fit right in at a Derby party.

2. Twiggy Bracelet ($58, Kiel James Patrick): Ladies can get in on the bow tie action as well with this bow tie bracelet—it’s super preppy, and super appropriate for the Kentucky Derby. And with this touch of flair, you’ll be able to avoid wearing one of those giant hats.

3.Seersucker Beer Bow Ties ($15, Olive & Violet): If everyone at the party is wearing a bow tie, don’t leave the inanimate objects out of the fun. These Seersucker Beer Bow Ties will look precious on your beer bottles and come in multiple colors so you can keep track of which beers belong to each of your party guests.

DRINKS:

4.Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (Available at specialty beer shops across the U.S.): Bourbon is the official spirit of the Kentucky Derby (see #6), but you know yourself and your drinking habits. If you drink only bourbon, you’re going to be asleep before the horses come out of the gate. Beer is better for pacing yourself, but don’t settle for any old beer. This Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale will give you the best of both worlds—beer that has a hint of bourbon taste—perfect for the Derby.

5. Silver Horsehead Julep Cup ($84, Silver Gallery): Over 100,000 mint juleps are served at the Kentucky Derby each year, and if you want to keep it classy at your Derby party, you’ll serve the classic cocktail in its classic vessel, a silver julep cup. If you don’t have $84 to shell out on a real silver julep cup, you’ll find stainless steel cups at places like Williams-Sonoma or Things Remembered.

6. Woodford Reserve (Available in liquor stores across the US): Billed as the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, Woodford Reserve should be available at your party in large supply.

7. Hops Mint Lip Balm ($6.50, Atlantic Farms): If you catch yourself sucking down the mint juleps like there’s no tomorrow, you might want to cut yourself off. This Hops Mint Lip Balm will keep the taste of mint on your lips but keep the alcohol out of your bloodstream.

Amanda Waas is the creator of You’re Welcome, a gift guide site for all of life’s awkward occasions. Her writing has appeared in Every Day With Rachael Ray, Glamour, Time Out New York, AOL’s Shelterpop and DIY Life, and various others. Follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.